To use an M50 or not???

[wastedincome]

Well its been a long time since I been on the board, So Hiya to every one ;)
Since the last time I was her eI managed to but a pair of e34's (at a hell of a deal) The only way I could grab the 92' 535i I wanted was to ALSO take a 91' 525 i w/ a NON vanos m50. (poor me).
OK so too the point. I had been planning on getting a S5x to replace the M42 in my 92' e30 vert. Well now that I have a M50 just sitting I have "considered" throwing that in!?!?!?!. I'm wondering if I shouold even bother?????? My "goal" w/ the vert is to get around 100 WHP per 1K pounds of weight, which is around 300. I could probly trade in the 91' e34 along w/ a pair of e30 parts cars to Euro depot towards an s5x.
What do ya guys think?? Go m50 OR S5x

[BigD]

Well the easiest and cheapest S5x engine to get 300whp out of is the S52 and you'd need to convert to OBDI. Harvest the M50 for this.

[FredK]

Wow, it's been a long time dude.

Just do an S52 swap. It'll probably cost around $3300 for an OBD-I swapped engine all said and done.

You won't be able to get 300 whp without resorting to forced induction. 250 - 255 whp is possible with performance cams, larger injectors, 3.5" HFM, and exhaust work.

[wastedincome]

Well the easiest and cheapest S5x engine to get 300whp out of is the S52 and you'd need to convert to OBDI. Harvest the M50 for this.

OK..... So I cant get ny required 300hp w/ a m50 without turning it to F.I> which I dont really like.
BIG D ya con me a bit confused with the " Harvest the M50 for this." Whatcha mean??

[BigD]

OK..... So I cant get ny required 300hp w/ a m50 without turning it to F.I> which I dont really like.
BIG D ya con me a bit confused with the " Harvest the M50 for this." Whatcha mean??

Well you won't get 300whp out of the S52 or any known street ~3 liter engine without forced induction. 300 crank hp on the other hand is fairly easy with the S52, with the mods Fred has listed. But IMO unless you can find the cams and software for cheap, it's so expensive that you might as well hound ebay for a used blower kit, which can be had for not much more and you'll make your 300 whp with the S52 with relatively little boost.

By harvesting I mean use the M50 you have to make the S52 work in the E30. It is the absolute most perfect engine to have for the parts. Not only does the M50 have all of the parts you need to convert the S52 to OBDI (sensors, intake manifold [which also adds 15-20hp right there], throttle body, maf, wiring harness and some other small things) but since it's an E34 engine, it also has the oil pan you need to make the engine fit in the E30. You're in a perfect position to do the S52 swap.

[TheRex]

Regarding the S5x swap...I agree that he's in a perfect position to do an S50 swap, because all the OBDI parts are there.

But if you're really looking for ~300whp, why not turbocharge the M50? I mean, if you're going to try to get 300 wheel horsepower from an S50/2 (Good luck!) you're going to be spending turbo money. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Presumably the M50 you've got is in fine working order...why not turbocharge it for his power goals? The only parts you're going to need to buy to throw the engine in are gonna be mounts and E36 mounting arms, the 3000 dollars you're not spending on an S50 could easily score a turbo kit or supercharger. I mean, obviously if you've got, like, a bottomless wallet be my guest -- go S50. But if you're going to go forced induction anyway why spend 3000 dollars on an extra half liter? I think you're money's better spent doing FI and doing it right then chasing after an S50 that is going to cost more money...when you start talking forced induction, and aren't out to be a dyno queen, it is my most humble opinion that an S50 offers extremely diminishing returns...particularly when you've already got a perfectly good M50 sitting right there.

Just my $.02, take it with a grain of salt, or whatever.

[Garageaholic]

He doesn't want to go FI, he said it in a few previous posts.

S52 is a very expensive swap though If you're satisfied with 250rwhp, then go S52!

[TheRex]

He doesn't want to go FI, he said it in a few previous posts.

S52 is a very expensive swap though If you're satisfied with 250rwhp, then go S52!

Yes, I saw that. But if he *really* wants 300whp, my point was that he could do it for nearly the same price as the S52. 'sall I'm saying. If he wants NA power, obviously he's in an awesome position to do it, as he has all the parts he "needs" to do an S52 swap.

[KangamangusDriver]

I have been debating the same damn thing...

Spend a bunch on money on a OBD1 S52
or
A turbo for my M50??

Or spend even more money and put a turbo on a OBD1 S52??

As of now Im leaning towards a turbo for the M50.
Cost effective, already have the engine and can put down some respectable numbers.

[Garageaholic]

That's your best bet, now have at it before the summer!!

[e30polak]

if u want 300whp find an e34 m5 engine, although i'm not sure about the swap info on those motors